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A portable device based on the interrupter technique for measuring airway resistance in preschool children
O Derman1, A Yaramis, G Kirbas
1Section of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. drderman@hotmail.com
Insights
The interrupter technique offers a noninvasive way to measure airway resistance in young children. Baseline airway resistance (RINT) inversely correlates with age and height in children with recurrent wheezing.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- The interrupter technique is a noninvasive method for measuring airway resistance.
- It requires minimal subject cooperation, making it suitable for young children.
- Conventional lung function tests often require high levels of cooperation, limiting their use in this age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the compliance rate with the interrupter technique in preschool children.
- To identify baseline measures associated with the interrupter technique resistance (RINT).
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 214 children aged 3 months to 5 years.
- The interrupter technique was used to measure airway resistance.
- Baseline RINT values were recorded and correlated with age and standing height.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse correlation was found between baseline RINT and age (r = -0.672, p<0.001).
- A significant inverse correlation was also observed between baseline RINT and standing height (r = -0.692, p<0.001).
- These correlations were significant in children with recurrent wheezing but not in healthy children.
Conclusions:
- The portable interrupter device is highly useful for assessing airway resistance in preschool children.
- Age and standing height are inversely proportional to baseline RINT values.
- These differences are more pronounced in children with a history of recurrent wheezing.
Abstract:
The interrupter technique for measuring airway resistance is a noninvasive method reported to require minimal subject cooperation. Therefore it has a good potential for use in young children who are not able to cooperate with conventional lung function tests. The interrupter method is based on transient interruption of airflow at the mouth for a brief period during which alveolar pressure equilibrates with mouth pressure. In order to investigate the compliance rate with the interrupter technique in preschool children and to look for associated baseline measures of RINT we performed a study in 214 children of ages from 3 months to 5 years. There was a significant inverse correlation between baserint and age (r = -0.672, p<0.001), and standing height (r = -0.692, p<0.001) in children with recurrent wheezing. However, this was not seen in healthy children. We concluded that the portable interrupter device is very useful in preschool children. The measurements showed that the age and standing height are inversely proportional to the baseline RINT values measured. We reported that these differences would be more apparent in children with a history of recurrent wheezing.
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